July 28, 2009
IOU Posts!
Well we didn’t exactly post every day like we’d hoped, but hitting the final stretch has been so surreal and exciting that there was really no time. I think we went to bed every night completely pooped, meaning were doing everything we canto soak it all up.
Dayville.
Super fun theme: Alliance Day, boys vs. girls. It was a very fun idea to keep this 30 mile day exciting, with some disasterous results. There were a few challenges for each gender to complete, the winner to be crowned superior. A true battle for the ages. There was a great standstill in the morning, both sides waiting for the other to make a move. The girls came swinging with wafer baloons. The men retreated until they counter attacked with the hose. The girls rode off, leaving the men to contemplate their next attack. After much debate, we decided to play it passive and eat mcdonnalds 1 mile down the road. Some took 3 trips to the register and we had already eaten a full breakfast. Hours later, we hit the road. The girls meanwhile hid all of our therma rests in a field. Hmph. The men arrived to an empth home, though, as all the girls were at the swimming hole. Naturally, we hid their toothbrushes and met them at the river. We gave them a few gifts we found for them along the way and definitely proved our superiority. The swimming hole was excellent and encouraged a truce. Our church is famous for hosting cyclists and keep jigr binders of notes from their visitors for the last 30 years. We also had a slamming night of van leftovers – food we have been carrying for months.
Fossil.
A great name. This was a super fast ride for Sarah and me because we sped right passed the chalking on the road for lunch! We knew what town it was supposed to be in, but we chatted and pedaled right passed it. Fortunately, we had some cliff bars with us and we made a key rest stop at an apricot tree. Mm. Also one short nap. Even with all that, we were one of the first riders into town and headed straight for the only restaurant there for fries, chowder (first seafood in weeks! Hello, Pacific!), and delicious milkshakes. They even had copies of the Oregonian newspaper, furher proof that Portland was near. Shortly after, we had a huge barbecue at the pastors house. Very homemade. We had a great chat with two women about current events (who knew, we didn’t really miss a thing!), Alaska, music education, and Oregon. This is also our first homestay night on the trip, meaning beds! Oh, it felt good. The floor still feels petty good, but nothing like the full size bed I had. We all split up in differed homes around town. My host, roy, has owned his home in town for years and spent the last 3 renovating it in his retirement. It shows because it’s beautiful. And so are his spare beds, so I had a wonderful sleep.
I should also mention that this is the day Mr. Phillips, son of rider and great friend Brian Phillips (commonly known as mr. $ and B$) joined us. They are taking a cross country tour home after cannon beach and he has tagged along with us in his ancient Volkswagen van. It is a piece of beauty. Perfectly restored in every way, his award winning pride and joy. He is the most incredible person on this trip. The back of the van has a huge custom magnet that reads “Caution! Bicycles Ahead!” and he is currently serving as a secondary suport van. He always supplies water, energy drinks, and fun snacks to keep us going. He even follows sweep in the shoulder for the last leg of every day. Incredible. More stories about him to come.
Maupin.
Such a killer ride. This was the begining of thr cascades and hurt us all. Steep, long, hot. Worse yet, the water at the church was full of sulfur, so no water. Fortunately, just a little bit up the climb we ran into mr. $ and his magic van who hooked us up, our first but not last life saving moment with him that day. The heat was scorching on top of everything else, but we all made it fine. The town is all about rafting, nothing else. We were so close to Portland, but it still resembeled the
desert. Plus, we still had about 2000 feet to descend into the city. We also decided how to allocate our money finally! (donors pay atention. This is what you made possible!) After trip expenses, rider donations, on the road donations, and the primary beneficiary (Charlottesville, VA for donating their van for the whole summer) we had 25000 to give to the grant program, which is open for all non profit affordable housing groups to apply So we to all of the buildsite habitat affiliates, who often waive the typical fees to let us build, a running race at U of Kentucky to raise money for their local habitat, Richmond VA’s rebiilding together organizations rebuild day, and a few incredible hosts that applied and we wish could become future build sites. It was a very quick, democratic, and important decision for us as a group. Early to bed for thr century the next day!
Portland!
Victory!!! We are here and so happy and excited at this very moment. Much news to come.
Sarah, Potts, and myself were sweep and really had nice rides. Unfortunately, more hills and heat. Fortunately, we took the morning climbs slowly (no use killing those knees now) and we finally entered the forest, meaning shade! We had a great time snacking and chatting with mr. $, too. Sadly, mark had a bad series of flats due to a dud tire. All of our gear is worn right now, but these tires were done. So I lent him my wheel so he could finish his century, Sarah rode on, I hopped in mr $s van, and we all sat at a taco bell 30 miles out to wait for the van to bring me a new wheel. Unfortunately, it took 2 hours, but we had good company and nachos. We rode the last 30 miles like nothing with mr $ behind us the whole way in his van. Too nice. He can’t even help it.
We made it we made it!! Sure we still have 2 rides left, but they’re short. Were here!!!!! We had a very busy day off. We
Were abruptly awoken by a school teacher here who wanted to know who gave us permission to camp here. I guess somebody left her out of the loop and was unhappy. She figured it all out and was fine. We showered and began the apartment search. We really loved the first place -
cheap, yound happening Hawthorne neighborhood, great tour with the maitenance man, pretty good size. We were sold. Filled out the app, paid the fee, and gave it to him. Minutes later, one of the other places that really interested us called. So, we hiked it across the river to the south west side of town and fell in love all over again -
beautiful floors, better bathroom, right in the heart of downtown, fewer move in fees, more perks (all utils included, fold away kitchen, bike storage and free wifi) at a very similar price. Filled out the application and shazaam! We have a home. 1225 SW adler street, Portland, OR. The fees for the other place are fully refundable to us later this week. Real photos to follow, but check out the ones from craigslist …
It’s quaint, but there’s room for company! Book your flights now! I also went on a great job interview for an accompanist position at a church in the north west with much more searching to come next week. We all had an incredible, 4 course dinner at a restaurant school where a leaders father works. Best food yet. My toung could hardly handle the flavor. On top of that, we field tripped to VooDoo doughnuts for extra dessert. They’re famous for their off beat creations so I opted for a chocolate with chocolate icing and cocoa puffs, Sarah the Portland Cream, the official doughnut of this city. Plus, they’re cheap and open 23 hours a day (6am – 3 am). That’s reason enough to move.
Short but exciting ride tomorrow. Well be camping halfway to the Pacific in Vernonia. I have so much to mail out soon and so much to enjoy before the end.
I know it’s long, but thanks for reading. Remember, were flying back to the east coast on august 4. See you all then!
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July 22, 2009
Hot Unity and Sad John Day
Celebrate! Today was our second longest day, 80 miles, left in the summer!
It’s very hot here, near 100 every day. I guess we are in the desert, afterall, with hardly a gas station or a tree in sight. This landscape is so ironically similar to Virginia – desolate, hilly farmland. While we miss Jen dearly, the ride was fine. As the trip nears its end, I am savoring every last meal and extra meal. So, a stop at the only restaurant in town was in order for chicken tenders and milkshakes. We stayed at their high school, but they didn’t unlock many doors for us. As a result, we slept in a tent but everyone else was in the locker room. I had an excellent, very high pressure shower there, though.
Today was a mere 50 mile day…. I can’t believe we’re calling that short. John Day is named for a real pioneer who led a trip from Virginia to Oregon (the first Bike and Builder?). He many years later tried to lead a trip back to the east, tried to kill himself, and spent the next few years of his life wandering the woods (we have better luck than him). We made a great pit stop in Prarie City for a hot, greasy but so worth it diner lunch and donated cookies. Now, were in an even bigger town (a whole 2000 residents) with better shopping (Sarah found geat boots at the thrift store) and a carpeted floor for sleeping. Can it get any better? Yes! Tomorrow is only a 30 mile day! Were also in the midst of our last week and a fee fun activities. Today, for example was gangster day – fake tattoos, bandanas, the whole thing.
Also, I forgot to mention that we had a great great great milkshake at Moons Kitchen in Boise. We talked to our waitress until the place closed about us, local news, and her trip around the area selling her steel artwork. Plus, they took that great photo of us to put on their wall. A great experience. Also, we met the traveling editors of Womens Bicycling Magazine on the road – interview, stickers, photo in the wheat. They said it would all appear on their blog soon, but were still waiting. Either way, they were very nice and I hope it’s up soon!
One week from today, we will be swimming in the pacific!
July 21, 2009
Detour to Canada?
We made it to the promise land! We’re in OREGON. Ontario, Oregon. We rode a whopping 62 miles to get here today. We have some catching up to do.
Challis- possibly the best night of Bike & Build.
Riding into Challis was great. Dan rode sweep and I swooped to the front. I ate my wheaties, and it paid off- just once. We discovered great food in Challis: huckleberry ice cream and Tim’s Salt & Vinegar chips…and live animals! Dinner that night came from one congregation member’s farm. Diane made goat cheese and brought both goat’s and cow’s milk. She later invited us to her farm (the pictures will come soon). This is why it was possibly the best night on Bike & Build. She showed us how she made the cheese, let us try her pickles (wow wow!), we milked her goat (Nosey) and her cow (Mandy). There were chickens running around, five dogs, a few cats, and a cowboy. Nosey, the goat, had two goats! They were four days old. I don’t think this is a lifestyle we could uphold, but the novelty did not wear off while we were there. We all piled in the back of her pick up truck for the cool ride home. That was definitely the best day in Idaho.
Stanley, Idaho – Hands down the coldest day of Bike & Build
This town is notorious for being the coldest in the lower 48 states. We enjoyed an evening on their dirt road happening main street in the warm evening with a river and the Sawtooth Mountains in the background. We were sleeping 6 people in a dilapidated 4 person tent- the best way to stay warm. We heard about this cold weather, but were not believers, since riding in on a 90 degree day.
Idaho City – Without a doubt the most deceptively named town on Bike & Build
We woke up at 5 am for our 88 mile day from Stanley to Idaho City. Our bags – covered in frost. My body – hardly covered at all by biking clothes. Eating cold cereal with milk. It really couldn’t get worse than that. Exccccept, we all hung out at a local breakfast shop for coffee and more (hot) food to wait out the storm of coldness. Next thing you know (2 hours later at least) we were on the road reaching 90 degrees. The fun does not stop there, folks. We also ran into another natural hot springs and spent a lot of time jumping between the sauna like rock pools and the rushing, cool, so pure you could drink it river water. I was very thirsty, too. Needless to say, all of this happened before TWO 6,000 feet climbs and we made it in pretty late.
So, it wasn’t a city but we pulled in so late we hardly knew the difference. The church was under renovations and was all set, decorations and all, for the big grand reopening on Sunday. We had, you guessed it, tacos for dinner.. easily the fifth time this summer. We had a pretty eventful town hall meeting and most of us fell asleep very quickly even though it was our dear dear dear friend Jen’s last night on the trip!
Boise – Definitely the most unexpectedly great stop on Bike & Build
Easy, easy ride. We had sort of a hill, but really it was nothing more than a pimple of Earth. Jen, our dear dear dear friend, was flying out to Phoenix that evening to begin.. dental school! So, we had a great last ride and lunch with her in town. We prepared a small wheel dipping ceremony in a Cannon Beach-like situation – small pebble to represent haystack rock and a sprinkler. It works. Sarah and I spent the evening wandering around the city – finally! Nothing beats it. Also, they were, by coincidence, hosting a huge cycling race that day. We watched a little bit of the kid’s fun ride with an olympic gold medalist and the highest category of the male and female racers. At one point, we were sitting right on the edge of the sidewalk on the circuit and I thought for sure that we were going to get hit. They fly so close you and each other! There was only one very minor crash with the women, but the men were even worse at keeping their distance. It meant so much more to us after all our experiences this summer – we’ll never hit 27 mph on a straightaway, but gosh we know how their behinds feel.
The next day, after sleeping in (wahoo!), we took to exploring a little more of the city. Of course, we got lost and really ended up nowhere, but it’s such a great place! It’s so well put together and quaint for a city. We ran into their annual EcoExpo and spent a lot of time looking at the exhibits and vendors – it was really very big. Then, we had a family field trip – floating in tubes on the Boise River. It’s pretty much what the locals do, especially on these 100 degree days. We rented our tubes and hopped into the collllld river, but it really felt so good in the heat. We all sort of took our own pace but it took an average of about 2 hours. I wouldn’t call it a lazy river, though, because there are plenty of quick areas and ledges and branches that catch you when you’re snoozing. One of the riders, BOS, almost missed the take out area, but accidently dropped the bag holding his wallet into the quick current when we woke him. In the end, he ran along the path and swam to get it, but also almost went over the dam. A real dam. Fortunately, he held onto a branch and cement anchor and was brought to shore – with the help of many emergency vehicles. I guess there isnt much going on in Boise crime wise. He made the Onews, too. I’ll post the link when I find it. All press is good press right? That evening, we just rented a movie and hung out in the A/C until bed.
Ontario, Oregon – OREGON!
Well, we made it. Last state. Strangely enough, we’re back in farm country – potatoes, sugar beets, onions, and corn all around us. It’s pretty backwards. We’re on our way to some hills, but today was fllllat. Really, there’s only a week and a half left, which is so exciting. I’m ready for a bed, something other than cereal for breakfast, and to rest my now muscular legs. All the lasts are coming up now – our last photo session at a state sign, we had our last affordable housing meeting tonight, last mail drop, last day off… its sad because it means the end of an incredible experience and such a short summer, but exciting to see everyone again and resume normal life.
We’re going to keep these posts strong in the next few days to savor every last minute of this experience. Promise!
